Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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In the past ten years, Ireland has seen dramatic changes. In the 1980s up to 50,000 of our best people emigrated every year. Today our society enjoys strong economic growth and prosperity but, as a result, it also faces other challenges. To address them, we must see them as opportunities. As one who supports an open and inclusive society, stretching out to Europe and beyond, I believe the immigration issue must be addressed in a positive way.

Establishing a forum on immigration would be a positive step in this regard. I propose the Government establishes a forum on immigration in which all the varying interested parties — political parties, trade unions, employers, the ESRI, voluntary groups which support immigrant communities and those with other views — can discuss the issue in a calm, rational and intelligent manner and frame public opinion and policy. The Government and Opposition parties can draw up the forum's terms of reference along the lines of the Forum for Europe.

The opportunity exists for such a forum to be inclusive and embracing and to address any problems in the undercurrent of public opinion. When immigration is raised at election time, elements can use it emotively for electoral purposes. An individual may have genuine concerns about immigration but not have the confidence to express them. These must be listened to because we cannot put our heads in the sand only to find societal problems with the issue in the next generation.

Irish people have travelled throughout the world seeking employment and new opportunities. Many of them have been the victims of racism and were not accepted by their adopted societies. The Irish in England faced many difficulties for many years. That same treatment must not be afforded to those who come to our shores. If there is a downturn in the economy, some sinister elements will exploit this emotive issue for political gain or other motives. It is important to foster a climate of respect for Irish citizens. Equally, it is important that immigrant communities contribute and know how policy decisions are made to help them fit in.

There is an onus on the Government to establish such a forum. Society must grasp the opportunity in accepting the strong feeling of goodwill towards immigrant communities and embrace them. More importantly, a positive policy must be forged to ensure all immigrants are welcomed and can make themselves feel at home. We must ensure immigration is not exploited by sinister forces.

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, welcomes Deputy Kelleher's contribution to the immigration debate. A debate on the issue has been going on for some time and the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform wants to take the opportunity to illustrate to those who may not have been engaged in it so far, the various ways in which it has been proceeding.

In April 2005, the Tánaiste launched a public consultation process on the subject of immigration. The vehicle for this consultation process was a policy document, Immigration and Residence in Ireland, which he published outlining the Government's proposals for addressing the immigration system in a comprehensive and holistic way. In addition to dealing with the individual areas of the immigration system from initial visa application to long-term residence, the document also set out the core principles underpinning an immigration policy. These included the following: maintaining the safety and security of the State and its residents, promoting the common good, managing migration in an orderly fashion to serve the economic and social needs of the State and its residents, protecting human rights, protecting and developing Ireland's international relations, ensuring fair treatment of persons, achieving reasonable standards of transparency and providing satisfactory standards of service.

More than 120 organisations and individuals made submissions as part of the process, reflecting a wide range of concerns and interests in the immigration system. Following on from this, new legislation is being drafted that will overhaul existing legislation in this area, replacing six Acts going back as far as 1935. Last September, the Tánaiste obtained the Government's approval to publish the outline scheme for the new legislation. He invited interested parties to make contributions on the legislation's contents. The Tánaiste also forwarded the scheme of the Bill to the Human Rights Commission for its comments. It is intended that the immigration residence and protection Bill will be published shortly.

In the past month there were two notable and successful public events regarding immigration. On 27 January, the Tánaiste outlined to a conference organised by the Law Society of Ireland, the Government's approach on immigration, residence and protection. The conference, New Rules for the New Irish, was open to the public and was oversubscribed. It featured contributions, not only from the Tánaiste, but also from a wide range of contributors from the platform and the floor. The Tánaiste also arranged for some of his officials to make presentations and to take questions from the public.

On 1 February, another public conference on the related matter of integration was held in Dublin Castle. This was co-organised by the UNHCR and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform through its refugee integration agency. Attendance was broadly based and included academics, churches, intergovernmental organisations, NGOs in the immigration area, various interest groups, civil servants and migrants. It also included speakers from the administrations of Denmark and the Netherlands who shared their countries' experiences in this important area. Interactive workshops were organised where groups of participants exchanged views in an informal setting. The Tánaiste is amenable to the Department continuing to participate in and organise such events.

The debate is also carried on, locally and nationally, on television, radio and through newspapers. Deputy Kelleher referred to providing an environment for organisations, including political parties, to express their views on immigration. The Houses of the Oireachtas represent one element of that environment as far as political parties are concerned. The new legislation will help provide a real opportunity to have a wide-ranging discussion on the subject.

The Tánaiste does not see the need for a new structure to facilitate a debate on immigration. The debate is already taking place and there are many opportunities to participate in it. It is important all groups involved in this area and others take the opportunity to engage in that process.